Washington — A top aide to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reportedly entered the cockpit of a government jet without invitation during a flight last spring, leading to the abrupt firing of a pilot over a missing blanket, according to two people familiar with the incident.
The aide, Corey Lewandowski, a longtime ally of President Donald Trump, was traveling with Noem when they discovered the secretary's blanket had been misplaced during a plane switch due to technical issues, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal government operations. The episode, first detailed in a Wall Street Journal report earlier this month, has raised questions about adherence to aviation safety protocols and tensions within the Department of Homeland Security under Noem's leadership.
According to the sources, Lewandowski entered the cockpit before the Gulfstream jet, operated by the U.S. Coast Guard, had climbed above 10,000 feet, at a time when the seatbelt sign was still illuminated. This phase of flight is considered among the most critical, as aviation experts emphasize the need for pilots to remain undistracted during the initial ascent.
"Planes are 'low and slow' during the initial climb to 10,000 feet, making it important for pilots to focus on flight operations," said Randy Klatt, a flight safety officer with The Foundation for Aviation Safety. "This is a vulnerable situation for any aircraft. You don't have the altitude to spare, or trade for airspeed if needed."
Federal Aviation Administration regulations, strengthened after the September 11, 2001, attacks, strictly limit cockpit access and prohibit non-essential activities or conversations below 10,000 feet, a policy known as the "sterile cockpit rule." While the Coast Guard, which operates under the Department of Homeland Security, is not legally bound by FAA rules, its 2021 operations manual includes a similar guideline: "No person shall engage in any conversation or activity that could distract or interfere with a flight crewmember properly conducting their assigned duties during critical phases of flight."
The manual specifies that violations are typically addressed through internal disciplinary processes, though it does not outline specific penalties. Lewandowski, in response to a request for comment, texted: "There was never a conversation in the cockpit when the flight was taking off." He disputed the facts as described by the sources but did not address whether he entered the cockpit during the climb phase below 10,000 feet.
The incident unfolded last spring during a trip involving Noem, who has been a key figure in Trump's immigration enforcement efforts. Noem, formerly the governor of South Dakota, assumed her role as secretary amid high expectations from the administration for a tough stance on border security. However, her tenure has faced scrutiny, including after federal immigration agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis in January, an event that drew widespread criticism.
The Wall Street Journal's reporting highlighted broader infighting at DHS, including clashes between Noem's team and career officials. The pilot firing was cited as an example of such tensions. According to the sources, after Lewandowski entered the cockpit, the pilots asked him to return to the cabin until reaching cruising altitude. Later, when one pilot came back to the cabin, Lewandowski reportedly demanded to know who should be fired over the missing blanket.
The pilot, described as an accomplished aviator with a long record of service, accepted responsibility for the oversight and was dismissed on the spot by Lewandowski, the sources confirmed. But upon landing at their destination, Coast Guard leadership intervened, reinstating the pilot because he was needed to fly Noem and Lewandowski back to the Washington area. The Department of Homeland Security and the Coast Guard declined to comment on the firing and reinstatement, and Reuters was unable to independently verify the exact reason for the pilot's return to duty.
Lewandowski serves as a senior adviser to Noem in a "special government employee" capacity, which limits his work to up to 130 days per year. He has accompanied her on several high-profile trips, including those related to immigration policy implementation. The White House has defended Noem amid the reports, with President Trump praising her in late January remarks and press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that Trump has the "utmost confidence and trust" in the secretary.
However, questions have arisen about Lewandowski's role. The Wall Street Journal reported that the White House Counsel's Office launched an investigation last year into his use of the quasi-government position. A DHS spokesperson countered that Lewandowski volunteers his time and that the department was unaware of any such probe. Lewandowski did not respond to inquiries about his employment status.
The episode comes as Noem navigates a challenging landscape at DHS, where Trump's aggressive immigration agenda has led to rapid policy changes and personnel shifts. Earlier reports from the Wall Street Journal described a dysfunctional environment, with Lewandowski's influence creating friction among staff. The blanket incident, while seemingly minor, underscores the high-stakes atmosphere, where even small oversights can result in severe repercussions for employees.
Aviation safety advocates have expressed concern over the reported cockpit intrusion. The sterile cockpit rule, whether under FAA or Coast Guard guidelines, is designed to prevent distractions during takeoff and landing, phases accounting for a disproportionate share of flight accidents. Experts like Klatt note that unauthorized access could compromise crew focus at a time when quick decision-making is essential.
The Department of Homeland Security, the Coast Guard, and the FAA all declined to comment on the specific flight or related protocols. Efforts to interview the pilots involved were unsuccessful, as the agencies did not respond to those requests. Without official confirmation, the full details remain reliant on anonymous sources, though the consistency between the Reuters reporting and the Wall Street Journal's account lends weight to the narrative.
As investigations into DHS operations continue, this incident may fuel further scrutiny of Noem's leadership style and the integration of political appointees like Lewandowski into sensitive government functions. With Trump's administration pushing forward on immigration reforms, any perceived lapses in protocol could amplify calls for accountability within the department. For now, Noem and her team maintain that operations are proceeding smoothly, but the revelations highlight the pressures of governing in a polarized environment.
The story was first reported by Reuters, with additional details from the Wall Street Journal. It reflects ongoing tensions at the intersection of politics and public safety, where personal alliances can intersect with professional standards in unexpected ways.